The Intersection of Caste and Gender: How Endogamy Restricts Women’s Autonomy and Triggers Honour Killings in India

Abstract

The persistence of the caste system in India is sustained by deeply embedded cultural practices. Among these, the regulation of women’s roles and choices plays a central role. Women are often expected to embody ideals of purity, divinity, and honour, not inherently, but due to societal expectations. The degree of freedom-from minor personal choices to the significant decision of selecting a life partner-is shaped by social structures. When women challenge caste boundaries through inter-caste marriage, caste-based sentiments are often invoked, sometimes resulting in extreme forms of violence such as honor killings. This paper examines the intersection of caste and gender, focusing on how endogamy operates as a mechanism that restricts women’s autonomy and limits social mobility.